Audi, the latest proprietor of Sauber, is poised to allow Carlos Sainz just a brief period of two weeks to agree to lead their forthcoming Formula 1 project.
Currently, Sauber struggles not just in terms of speed but is also facing fundamental difficulties in redesigning a wheel defect that has been affecting pitstops throughout 2024.
With Sainz, a victor in Melbourne and soon to part ways with Ferrari, in the process of selecting a new team and rumored to be in discussions with Mercedes and Red Bull, he stands at a critical juncture.
"Andreas Seidl wants planning security," according to Bild, highlighting the demands of Sauber's CEO for a prompt decision.
Auto Motor und Sport has reportedly set a deadline in mid-April for the 29-year-old Spaniard to declare his intentions for the 2025 season and onwards.
The same source confirms current Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg's apparently secure position in the team's other car.
Throughout this year's races, Sainz has been accompanied by his renowned father, Carlos Sainz Sr., who is actively involved in negotiations for his son's next F1 engagement.
"It's difficult to say where my son will be in 2025," said Sainz Sr., a legend in rallying, to Sky Italia. "I hope to see him in a car that can fight to win.
"Everything that happened (with Ferrari) was a surprise, we didn't expect it and now we're trying to understand what to do and where to go. In the meantime, Ferrari seems to be allowing both drivers to push and the feeling is good.
"Red Bull is still the favourite, but Ferrari is closer now," added Sainz Sr.
Sainz's unexpected turn of events pre-season was Ferrari's decision to onboard Lewis Hamilton for 2025. Mario Andretti, the world champion of 1978, perceives this as a gamble.
"Hamilton seemed to be an extraordinary driver, but now we see that he is also just human," he conveyed to La Gazzetta dello Sport. "That was also the case with Michael Schumacher when he returned.
"It makes me a bit sad that Sainz is being sacrificed to make room for Hamilton," Andretti continued. "Compared to Charles (Leclerc), Carlos seems to immediately have a better feeling with the 2024 car."
Christian Danner, another ex-F1 driver, criticized Ferrari's choice: "They signed the wrong driver," referring to the decision involving Ferrari, Sainz, and Hamilton. Danner believes Ferrari's team leader, Frederic Vasseur, "should have waited a little longer."
Giancarlo Minardi, former F1 team owner and manager, shared with Corriere dello Sport: "All my life, I have preferred young drivers. The only thing Hamilton can do is bring in some valuable engineers."
